Chancellor Merz appoints new foreign investment commissioner
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FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks next to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (not pictured) during a joint press conference in Madrid, Spain, September 18, 2025. REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo
By Maria Martinez and Andreas Rinke
BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has appointed veteran German banker Martin Blessing as the government's commissioner for foreign investment, stepping up efforts to attract international capital.
In a statement, Merz said that Blessing, who was CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016, had an outstanding network of international contacts.
He "brings a wealth of experience in promoting investment in Germany," the chancellor said.
Reviving growth in Europe's largest economy is Metz's top priority after two years of economic contraction. The government says Germany needs to attract more private capital to complement a planned surge in public spending, making it crucial to improve Germany's appeal as an investment location.
The number of foreign investment projects in Germany fell for the third year in a row in 2024.
Amid heightened global uncertainty and rising U.S. protectionism, Berlin is seeking to position Germany as a safe, predictable destination for investors.
(Reporting by Maria Martinez and Andreas RinkeEditing by Ludwig Burger)
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